Department of Defense August 14, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This interim final rule implements a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services similar to that furnished to Medicare beneficiaries, as set forth in section 1833(t) of the Social Security Act. The rule also recognizes applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from Medicare's continuing experience with this system including certain related provisions of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. The Department is publishing this rule as an interim final rule to implement existing statutory requirements for adoption of Medicare payment methods for institutional care. Interim final rule publication will ensure the expeditious implementation of a proven hospital OPPS, providing incentives for hospitals to furnish outpatient services in an efficient and effective manner. However, public comments are invited and will be considered for possible revisions to the final rule.

Under the provisions of Executive Order 13426, the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.55, the Department of Defense gives notice that it is terminating the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors on August 30, 2007. The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, pursuant to section 6, of Executive Order 13426, is terminated 30 days after it submits its report to the President through the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, which submitted its report to the President on July 30, 2007, was chartered to: 1. Examine the effectiveness of returning wounded service members' transition from deployment in support of the Global War on Terror to successful return to productive military service or civilian society, and recommend needed improvements; 2. Evaluate the coordination, management, and adequacy of the delivery of health care, disability, traumatic injury, education, employment, and other benefits and services to returning wounded Global War on Terror service members by Federal agencies as well as the private sector, and recommend ways to ensure that programs provide high-quality services; 3. (a) Analyze the effectiveness of existing outreach to service members regarding such benefits and services, and service members' level of awareness of an ability to access these benefits and services, (b) identify ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in the benefits and services; and 4. Consult with foundations, veterans service organizations, non- profit groups, faith-based organizations, and others as appropriate, in performing the Commission's functions. The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors' final report, title ``Serve, Support, Simplify'', contains the six recommendations and can be viewed at the Commission's Web site: https://www.pccww.gov/. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.175(a), the Department of Defense, no later than July 30, 2008, shall submit a follow-up report on the recommendations made by the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. This report will be submitted to the congressional oversight committees, the Committee Management Secretariat for the General Services Administration, and the Library of Congress.